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Does Amber Johnston from ‘7 Little Johnstons’ have skin cancer?

Published

6 mins ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

The Johnstons from Georgia are known to be the world’s largest family with achondroplasia dwarfism. Their lives have been chronicled in the reality television series “7 Little Johnstons” since it premiered on 6 January 2015. Amber Johnston raised her adopted children along with her biological ones to become independent, confident, and able to adapt to a world that was challenging for people with short stature. Dwarfism usually comes with health complications, but what worried her most had nothing to do with her genetic condition – it was the possibility of having skin cancer.

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How did “7 Little Johnstons” come about?

Amber Johnston’s first foray into television was in 2011, when her family made a guest appearance in the American talk show “Anderson”, hosted by the broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper. As the show was said to be focused on featuring extraordinary families, or people with interesting stories, they needed not to look any further, when Amber expressed an interest via email for her family to be cast in the show, saying ‘I have been inspired to share our story of being the true seven dwarfs.’

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Each member of her family has achondroplasia, which meant ‘without cartilage formation.’ It is characterized by disproportionate short stature, limited range of motion, bowing of legs, and an unusually large head size (macrocephaly), but with at least average intelligence.

Having a short stature made them the subject of ridicule, discrimination, and name-calling. Being called ‘midget’ was highly offensive to them, but ‘dwarf’ or a ‘little person’ was acceptable, although they preferred to be called by their names instead of a label. Some people assumed that they were incapable of doing things that an average-sized person could do. Amber wanted it to be known that they could accomplish what any other person could, but they just had to be more creative and resourceful in going about it. They wanted social acceptance, to be seen as human beings and not as objects to be stared at.

Educating the public about people with their condition had been their goal as well, when they agreed to do the reality TV series, “7 Little Johnstons.” They generated so much interest by appearing in the talk show, that the production company LMNO Cable Group invited them to star in their own show, an opportunity that they couldn’t resist. The series was aired on the cable channel TLC owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.

Get to know the “real-life seven dwarfs”

Trent and Amber

Amber Stormer was still in high school when she first met Trent Johnston, at one of the get-togethers arranged by the non-profit organization Little People of America (LPA), which provides resources, information and support to those with dwarfism and their families. Trent said, ‘I saw a gorgeous blonde-haired, blue-eyed, 16-year-old girl,’ and the attraction was mutual, as Amber said, ‘I saw a very attractive young man, who turned out to have a funny personality.’ Soon they were in a long-distance relationship, and had to wait until she matriculated from high school before she could move to Georgia and be with him. They were married in November 1998 at his church in Ellenwood.

https://www.facebook.com/7LittleJohnstonsArmy/photos/138540258407371

Jonah and Elizabeth

Five months after their wedding, she was pregnant with their first child, Jonah, and they had quite a scare when he wasn’t breathing when born. The doctor revived him, and placed him on a ventilator. After six weeks of staying at the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), they brought him home although he was still in and out of hospital during his first year, having been born prematurely, and needing surgeries because of his dwarfism. Her second pregnancy was difficult, not to mention painful, as her hips were repeatedly dislocated. She was only four feet tall but had become so big that her middle measured 51 inches. Their second child, Elizabeth, was born in December 2001, with the same genetic condition.

Anna from Russia

Because of the medical risks to Amber if she were to conceive again, she had her tubes ligated after her cesarean section. The couple had always wanted a big family, so the only option left for them was adoption. It was said that children with dwarfism in other countries were most likely abandoned, and only a few would be willing to adopt them. However, Amber and Trent wanted them, and this earned them the nickname the “Brad and Angelina of Little People,” from their friends.

Amber was a district director of the LPA at the time when the Shepherd’s Crook adoption ministry reached out to them via email in March 2004, in search of a home for a Russian child with achondroplasia dwarfism. The more they knew about the 14-year-old orphan, the more they believed that she was meant to be their daughter. They went all the way to Siberia in June 2005 to meet Anna, and bring her to their home.

Alex from South Korea

By December 2005, the couple was hoping to adopt another boy to complete their family, especially since their eldest wanted a brother. It seemed fortuitous then, that an agency in Colorado called them to ask if they knew of anyone willing to adopt a nine-year-old South Korean boy with achondroplasia. This time, the adoption process was more difficult as they lacked the funds to pay the fees in full as was required. However, out of the goodness of their hearts, a couple wrote a check for the full amount that was needed. The Johnston family welcomed Alex into their home in May 2006, then later repaid the couple when they received an adoption aid grant from Show Hope.

Emma from China

Alex’s looks were different from the rest of the family, so Amber and Trent believed it was best for the child to have a sibling who was not only closer to his age, but also shared similar physical features. In October 2009, Amber learned that in an orphanage in Baoding, China, there was a Chinese girl who was only months older than Alex and had achondroplasia, and they couldn’t wait to make her part of their family. After a year, they flew to China and finally met their nine-year-old daughter, Emma, and brought her home to meet her siblings.

Amber’s parenting style

Amber and her husband felt very blessed to have a family of seven, and said that they couldn’t have asked for anything more. Raising five kids was not easy, more so in front of the camera, as there were people nitpicking on every little thing that was happening in their household. They sometimes found Amber to be controlling, overbearing, and unfair in how she treated her children. She wanted the viewers to keep in mind that several hours of footage were edited to make a storyline to fit an episode that was less than an hour-long, so they were not seeing the entire picture.

https://www.instagram.com/p/COq5VjWgIBu/

There were no perfect parents and no perfect children, but some viewers could not help but criticize Amber’s parenting style. She grew up as the only one who had achondroplasia in her family, but her parents were very supportive and made sure that they brought her up in the same way as her average-sized siblings. Not being treated any differently gave her confidence, and taught her to become self-reliant, and Amber wanted to do the same thing for her kids.

Adjusting to the world

Most individuals with dwarfism had physical limitations due to their short stature and other deformities, so their homes had to be modified to make things comfortable and convenient for them. The LPA even set guidelines or offered ideas on their website, that would fit various needs and budgets. Homes were built for average-sized persons, so imagine the difficulties of a little person in doing things as simple as reaching a light switch, getting clothes from a closet, and preparing or cooking food in the kitchen.

Making things more accessible such as lowering countertops, sinks, and light switches to a comfortable height were viewed by Amber and her husband as a form of coddling the kids, and wouldn’t be beneficial to them in the long run. Trent had said, ‘We raise our kids to live in the world, not to live at home…in the world around us – when you walk out there…it’s not built for you.’ It was important for them that their kids learned how to adapt well to their surroundings, and figure things out on their own when faced with obstacles. Their size shouldn’t get in the way of achieving their goals, big or small.

Kids’ moving out

Amber’s goal of making her children self-reliant growing up was in preparation for the time when they became adults, and moved out of the house. As the eldest turned 21, Amber and Trent issued an ultimatum in that Jonah had three months to make the necessary arrangements in finding a new place; they considered it ample time to save money for that. Jonah’s parents tried to motivate him to become more responsible and handle his finances well, since he’d put college on hold and wanted to work. They’d had a lot of discussions about this in the past but it seemed that Jonah was quite stubborn.

Elizabeth was the first one to move out; she was a 19-year-old college student at a nursing school at that time, but had saved money from working hard to afford her new place. She and her boyfriend Brice made plans for him to move in with her, after being in a relationship for three years, but her parents balked at that, saying that they were still old-fashioned, and wanted them to marry first before living together. The young couple felt it was time to take things to the next level, and it didn’t help that they only saw each other on weekends, as he was also busy with work.

We survived the 1st week of school! pic.twitter.com/JJYrXPUzuJ

— 7 little Johnstons (@team7lj) August 22, 2020

With Anna, Amber was reluctant to give her permission to leave the house, since she was still a full-time student and only had a part-time job. Anna didn’t understand why her parents couldn’t be as excited for her as they were with Elizabeth. Her online business was doing well, but her parents wanted more financial stability for her before she started living on her own. They said that their home should not be considered as the kids’ fallback, as once they moved out, that was it. However, they would help in case of emergencies or if they had medical problems. She eventually moved out, and experienced adulthood as she became independent.

Some viewers didn’t agree with how the parents dealt with their kids, as they found it harsh, but Amber said that it was just tough love.

Filming was a family job

The family didn’t have a hard time adjusting to having cameras follow them around as they went about their day, but some were wondering if it had a negative impact on the kids. Amber said that she and Trent taught the kids to treat it as a job, as a family business, so they all had to work together. If one no longer wanted to be part of it, then it was not going to work; this was their mindset when they started filming. They remained true to themselves so they didn’t worry whether they were being filmed or not.

Admittedly, they were paid for it, and they gained a lot of attention, but as a parent, she didn’t let it change who they were at their core. Amber said, ‘Life still has to be everyday normal life for the kids.’ Trent jokingly said, ‘Our heads are already big enough. We don’t need them any bigger.’ He also reminded them that being different meant that people, both adults and kids, would stare at them and remember them, so they should present themselves in a way that would make them leave a positive impression. As they represented the community of dwarfs, it was important that they consider the reality TV show as an opportunity to educate people even if viewers considered it as a form of entertainment.

On marriage, rumors of divorce

Like any other couple, Amber and Trent had their ups and downs, but in season five which aired in the latter part of 2018, their loyal fan base began to worry that the tension between the two would culminate in a divorce. She said that the family dynamics had changed quite a bit, living with five teenagers at home, and it put a strain on their relationship. However, Amber said there was no reason to feel anxious about it, as she and Trent had already been through a lot in their two-decade-long marriage, and they overcame challenges as a team. She said, ‘We know that a relationship, parenting and marriage are a constant work in progress. With both of us feeling that, and knowing that we don’t give up.’

Aside from resolving issues that crop up, they also made efforts in spicing up their marriage, which included pole dancing, constructing a ‘love shack’ on their property, and consulting with an intimacy coach. They celebrated their 23^rd wedding anniversary in November 2021.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc5L3Usrm5g/

Does Amber have skin cancer?

Amber’s weight loss was considered drastic by some, thinking that she underwent bariatric surgery, although there were also those who were worried that she was sick. However, she cleared things up, and said that she lost considerable weight, at least 50 pounds, by following a healthier lifestyle with proper diet and exercise. She never had weight issues until she started taking steroids for nearly two years, to counter her back injury. The decision to shed those extra pounds was actually caused by having a hard time keeping up with her family during one of their hiking trips.

Just when the viewers thought that everything was well with Amber, she opened up about seeing a dermatologist regarding the moles on her back, as Trent noticed that they had become bigger and wanted them checked. A biopsy was performed – although the doctor didn’t outright say that it was cancerous, he was concerned that it was changing and growing. He told her that they had to remove as much or as many they could, so that no further treatment would be required. She was reluctant to have the procedure done at that time, using the kids as an excuse and making it seem like there would be chaos in their house without her.

Naturally, Trent couldn’t understand why she couldn’t prioritize her health. He said that if it happened to him or one of the kids, Amber would put everything on hold and immediately set an appointment with the doctor. He didn’t want her to put it off, as he was worried that her condition could worsen, and would require a more complicated or lengthy treatment. He said that it would be best to deal with it sooner than later, so that there would be no regrets. She finally admitted to being scared of what the outcome would be, if it was something that could be treated or not. Her February 2021 Instagram post showed her at the dermatologist’s office with the caption, ‘My #skincancerisrealcancer,’ which essentially confirmed her medical condition.

As difficult as life had been for people with achondroplasia due to the myriad of health issues that came with it, Amber and Trent had always banded together and came out stronger for it. This was what they wanted to instill in their children and to not let anything stop them from living a full life.

Martha Clifford

As an Author at Net Worth Post, I guide a dedicated team in the art of revealing the stories behind the world's most influential personalities. Fueled by a relentless curiosity and a knack for uncovering hidden stories, I immerse myself in the intricacies of our subjects' lives, weaving together accurate data and compelling narratives. My involvement spans the entire editorial process, from the seed of research to the final flourish of publication, ensuring that every article not only educates but also captivates and motivates our audience. At Net Worth Post, we are committed to providing thorough investigations into the net worth and life achievements of innovators across diverse sectors such as technology, culture, and social entrepreneurship. My method merges meticulous research with eloquent storytelling, designed to bridge the gap between our readers and the remarkable individuals who redefine our tomorrow. Through spotlighting their journeys to success, the hurdles they've surmounted, and their contributions to society, we aim to give our readers a deep and inspiring insight into the luminaries who are paving the way for progress and ingenuity in the modern era.

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Ex ‘AGT’ and ‘The Voice’ contestant Nolan Neal Dead at 41

Published

1 second ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

In July 2022, “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice” contestant Nolan Neal was found dead at 41 years of age. The rock singer whose performances touched millions of viewers across the globe, had been suffering from substance abuse issues for most his career, and reportedly succumbed to his addiction.

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Who was Nolan Neal?

Nolan Neal was born on 6 October 1981, in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up as only child, in a family of devout Baptist Christians. He inherited his artistic ability from both of his parents – his mother was a painter and a singer, while his father played the drums in a rock band, and was also a US Army veteran,.

During his teenage years, Nolan accompanied his father to his band’s shows which sparked his interest in playing music himself. Nolan soon joined a local band, and eventually began performing his own songs. In 2006, he signed a deal with Virgin Records, which he had hoped would kickstart his career, but unfortunately his substance abuse issues got in the way of his career success. He was set to record his debut album, but since he would arrive to the studio under influence and unable to sing, Nolan was soon dropped by his label, which prompted him to seek help for his drug addiction. After returning from rehab, he began working as a demo artist to make ends meet.

In 2012, he launched his own production company called N&N Productions, which provided songs for advertisements, TV shows and movies. Despite his lifelong passion for music, Nolan didn’t gain widespread recognition until his first TV appearance.

In 2016, he made his TV debut on the 10^th season of the popular singing contest “The Voice”. His blind audition, for which he prepared a rock cover of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”, wooed the judging panel, and earned him a spot on Adam Levine’s team. Nolan advanced to the knockout round, during which he was eliminated

He tried his luck again in 2020, this time auditioning for “America’s Got Talent”, performing his original song “Lost” – the first piece of music he wrote after returning from rehab. During his debut “AGT” appearance, Nolan shared a touching story about his life. ‘When I was 26 everything was happening the way it was supposed to happen, but one day my dad called me and told me he was going to take his life. (…) The next day I woke up to the news that he had done it.’, Nolan said. This event deeply hurt him, as Nolan looked up to his father all his life, and the traumatic experience further pushed him down the path of addiction.

Nolan’s story and song captivated the audience and the judging panel alike, and he advanced to the competition quarter-finals, performing his emotional song “Send Me a Butterfly”. Although he failed to gain the judges’ votes for the semi-finals, the video of his first “AGT” performance quickly went viral on YouTube, gaining over three million views in a short period of time. This success allowed Nolan to finally commit more of his time to music, and he went on to perform all across the US in the following two years.

Cause of death

Nolan’s rising career was cut short by his untimely passing. According to “TMZ”, his roommate and cousin, Dylan Seal, discovered his lifeless body in their Nashville apartment on the morning of 18 July 2022; the cause of his death hasn’t officially been disclosed. Police officers who investigated the scene had found a guitar pick with powder residue near Nolan’s bed, citing drug overdose as a possible cause of death.

Nolan left behind his wife Stephanie Neal and two children, daughter Caylin and son Cadence. ‘My dad didn’t get his redemption story, but he would’ve wanted everyone around him to have theirs. Write the song. Record the music. Dream the dream. But don’t let your struggles hold you back and take it all away. I’m thankful we have his music to remember him by, but I’m sad I’ll never get to hear another new song.’, Caylin wrote in a touching Facebook post.

Following Nolan’s passing, the family received an outpouring of love and support from his fans and friends alike, who posted a number of loving messages to the late musician’s social media accounts. Nolan’s family received over $25,000 in donations through a GoFundMe campaign, which Caylin set up to cover the funeral expenses. ‘As I’m sure you all have heard, my Dad passed away suddenly. He did not have any life insurance or any money whatsoever.’, she wrote. ‘The expenses that come from this are extensive as we are trying to prepare for his funeral and fly in his son & loved ones. If you want to help in anyway, you can donate here. Anything is appreciated and I am so grateful for the community rallying behind us.’

Simon Cowell shares his thoughts

Nolan’s talent had a huge impact on the “AGT” main judge, Simon Cowell, who offered his condolences to the late singer’s family and friends, and shared his thought about his tragic passing. ‘Unfortunately, it happens too much over the years,’ Cowell said in his interview with “People” magazine. ‘I was thinking about this the other day. People [who] passed too soon. Every time it happens, because you’ve gotten to know them, it’s horrible.’

Nolan was one of four former “AGT” contestants who had passed away in late 2021 – early 2022.

Nightbirdie

A few months earlier, in February 2022, “ATG” lost another beloved contestant. Jane Kristen Marczewski aka Nightbirdie, a fellow singer-songwriter who auditioned for the show in 2021 lost her battle with cancer at only 31 years of age.

Born and raised in Ohio, Nightbirdie had been songwriting since the age of six. She started uploading her music online during her college years, and soon started doing live performances. In 2012, she released her first extended play (EP), entitled “Lines”, on which she sang and played the guitar. In the following year, she released her second album, “Ocean & Sky”, which she funded through a Kickstarter campaign.

Her music was a unique blend of pop and folk, which later evolved into electro-pop. Nightbirdie adopted her stage name based on a recurring dream she had of a bird singing outside her window at night. ‘Woke up in the night three times, dreaming of birds singing in the dark. The third time, I went to the window and they were there singing morning songs at 3am. I wanted to be one of them singing as if it was morning, though I couldn’t see it yet’, she revealed in a 2019 interview.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CejtLRePHAH/

Prior to her appearance on “AGT” in 2021, Nightbirdie had already made a big name for herself locally, frequently performing in bars. For her TV debut, she sang her original song “It’s OK”, which she wrote about her life with a cancer diagnosis. Her performance and dedication earned her a standing ovation from the judges and the studio audience, and she had even received a Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell. The song quickly went viral, reaching #1 spot on iTunes and peaking at #3 on the Billboard ‘Emerging Artists’ chart. With over 47 million views, “It’s OK” is one of the most watched “AGT” performances off all time on YouTube.

While it seemed that Nightbirdie was a lock-in for the season 16 finale, she had to withdraw from the competition prior to quarter-finals due to her worsening health. Cowell supported her decision, stating that she didn’t need more stress during such a tough time. He later said that he believed she could have gone all the way, even potentially winning the competition, if it had been possible.

Nightbirde passed away Sunday while undergoing treatment for breast cancer, which had metastasized to her lungs, spine and liver.

"You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy." This quote will live with me forever. Rest well, Jane❤️ #ripnightbirde https://t.co/Ig604B2fXZ pic.twitter.com/rrJfV7gMWo

— King Melvin (@melvinnasasira) February 21, 2022

Nightbirdie was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, and was declared cancer-free a year later. Unfortunately, the cancer reoccurred in 2019, and she was given only six months to live, but her cancer seemingly disappeared several months later. Prior to appearing on “AGT”, she was told her cancer had come back again, and given a 2% survival diagnosis.

Jane passed away on 19 February 2022, surrounded by family in her San Clemente residence. Her family posthumously created The Nightbirdie Memorial Fund, which is dedicated to raising funds for cancer research, and patients who are unable to afford the treatment.

Skilyr Hicks

Two months prior, Skilyr Hicks, a season eight contestant, tragically passed away at only 23 years of age. A talented young musician, Skilyr started playing the guitar when she was 11, and made her appearance on “AGT” in 2013. Even though she was only 14 at the time, she had already written over 20 original songs, and had performed frequently. On the show, she shared the tragic story of her father’s death, saying that he was a big inspiration to her, and inspired her to make music.

For her audition performance, Skilyr sang her original song “Brand New Day”, dedicated to her late father. ‘It’s a message that came too late for my dad, but I know if he could see me now, he’d be really proud of me’, she said to the judges. Her performance earned her an approval from the panel, while the video went viral on social media, however, she didn’t advance to the quarter-finals.

Despite this, Skilyr was determined to continue pursuing her music career, and soon after the show aired, released her debut full-length album entitled “Brand New Day”. She also continued uploading covers of popular songs onto her YouTube channel, with the most viewed being a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” and Christina Aguilera’s “Say Something”.

Sadly, behind all the commercial success, Skilyr had been living a troubled life. In 2015, she went missing after school, which put her entire hometown of North Augusta on high alert. Luckily, she was found the same day. In the following year, Skilyr had many run-ins with the law – in 2017, she was jailed for assaulting her family members while under the influence of alcohol, and in the following year, was arrested for underage drinking – she was 20 at the time.

https://www.facebook.com/skilyrhickssingersongwriter/posts/pfbid0waEnFamxd414HHpjuegdzVA1N2u9dknTEgEWN8xbXZpMdHMjU4QJUDNM7p1B3svcl

Another incident happened again in May 2021, when she went missing for the second time. At the time, the young artist struggled with mental health issues, which led the police to suspect possible suicide, but Skilyr was found alive five days later. On 5 December the same year, she disappeared again, and was found passed away at her friend’s house the following morning. According to the police report, she was discovered inside a bathroom, surrounded by drug paraphernalia, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of her death hasn’t been officially revealed, but it’s suspected that she suffered an overdose.

Jay Jay Phillips

On Thanksgiving week of 2021, a three-time returning “AGT” star, Jay Jay Phillips passed away from a COVID-19 infection.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Jay Jay had been a keyboardist in a local band called Metal Mafia since 2009. He was known among fans of the show for his unique acts and signature look: long black hair, animal print clothes, and a comically large keyboard hanging from his neck. Jay Jay made his debut in season four of the show, playing an original solo piece he composed for the keyboard. Jay Jay, who was a college student at the time, showcased his love of rock music in a rather unconventional way, but sadly didn’t earn the judges’ approval, despite the ovations from the audience. He tired out his luck again in season eight, making it though auditions with a 3-1 vote, but didn’t advance further.

Four years later, Jay Jay came back with a keyboard cover of “I Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. He dedicated the performance to his ex-girlfriend, Amber, and talked about wanting to move away from his job at a fiber-glass factory. Although Heidi Klum buzzed his act, saying that she expected him to sing, the rest of the judging panel loved his quirky performance.

On 3 December 2022, “TMZ” reported that the musician had died at his home due to COVID-19 complications. Apparently, he had been sick for several days, but refused to go to hospital, believing that he just needed to take some rest. He was discovered dead on 25 November. ‘It is with great sadness we inform you all of the loss of our bandmate/brother/and friend @jayjayrocks. It still doesn’t feel real and we would give anything to change it. Please respect the family, as well as our wishes as we take our time to grieve and process this detrimental loss’ his band mates wrote on Instagram. ‘We miss you brother, every second of every minute, of every day. Thank you for teaching us all to laugh a little more. Rock in Paradise’.

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Why was “Flipping Ships” canceled?

Published

3 seconds ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

With the rise of celebrity-centered reality TV shows, flipping series come across as a breath of fresh air on TV for their concepts and designs. However, while most renovation shows focus on giving homes and cars a new face, series such as “Flipping Ships” shows how even in the almost forgotten field of recreational boats, there’s always a place for innovation and new ideas.

That being said, having the 1990s hit-writer Edwin McCain heading the show, and his crew of experts doing the heavy work, made “Flipping Ships” a show to remember, regardless of its short run on air.

So why was “Flipping Ships” canceled? Was it a production issue, or problems between the cast? And what are Edwin and the rest of the cast doing?

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Why Was It Canceled?

If you were one of those people who really enjoyed seeing Edwin McCain and his crew bringing several boats back to life, you were surely heartbroken when news of the show’s cancellation was announced. As Edwin said on Twitter a couple of months after the first season wrapped up in mid-2015, the cancellation was solely a network’s decision: ‘We got word from Animal Planet. Unfortunately, there will not be a season 2 of “Flipping ships”. We sure did have fun making season 1! Thanks’, he wrote.

While no further explanation regarding the end of “Flipping Ships” came from either Edwin or Animal Planet, and the show’s audience ratings are unknown, there’s always room to speculate what might have happened. Going back to a Facebook post of Edwin prior to the show’s premiere, he confessed that the show had taken him and his crew ‘two years getting this project off the ground’. Given that the show only had six episodes but took years in pre-production and filming, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume “Flipping Ships” was ultimately canceled due to its extensive creation times, and most probably cost.

Though this is just a theory, and we will probably never get a specific answer about the show’s cancellation, at least Edwin and his crew gave us a season full of entertaining flipped boats.

Was Darius Rucker In The Show?

Many people remember Edwin McCain from his many romantic hits from the 1990s, but he was certainly not the only pop star in “Flipping Ships”. The internationally famous Darius Rucker was there to rock the show’s premiere episode, entitled “Country Superstar on Deck”, in which he challenged Edwin to turn an old and ugly-looking 1968 Sea King into a Rock n’ Roll boat.

Needless to say, working together wasn’t a hard job for either man, who actually met back in the 1990s when Edwin’s self-titled band and Rucker’s Hootie & the Blowfish toured together. Fast forward to present days, with both having more-than-established careers, they agreed to renovate the initially beaten down boat for the show, with the condition of then giving it away to charity.

With the challenge of making a $500 boat worth thousands, Edwin and his team took 15 days to renovate the engine and exteriors of the ship, which was apparently exhausting effort-wise, but worth it in the end: ‘it was fun, because no one would ever hire you to do that with a little boat. It’s a piece of history from an era of boating’, he said in an interview with the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation, where Rucker auctioned the boat for $82,000.

The Cast

To make each “Flipping Ships” project a reality, Edwin McCain worked with a vast crew of experts. However, four guys stood apart from the others for taking matters into their own hands, when it came to successfully completing every project.

With the mindset of having experts in all areas, Edwin first contacted Robbie Cauley to work on the mechanics, as ‘they had been doing projects together for years’, as he told Boating Mag. Then he contacted his neighbor Howie Mauldin to work on the projects’ details, while Doug Tent became the team’s star painter. Last but not least, Wayne Burgess joined the project to demolish and destroy whatever was needed to be done: ‘I’d known (him) for more than 20 years, and I’d often said he needed his own show’, Edwin confessed.

Needless to say, while these four men were Edwin’s key to success to bring every project into completion, there was always a big team behind the scenes making everything possible as well.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=834375463393761

What Happened To Edwin’s Business

Although television often makes us believe everything is easier than it seems, the truth is that flipping boats and ships isn’t as simple as it seems. To make everything you saw in “Flipping Ships” possible, Edwin McCain had his business Boats Have Souls doing the hard work.

Although his company seemed to be in a good place in the show, many might be surprised to know that Boats Have Souls went out of business not long after the show’s cancellation. As seen on the company’s social media, Boats Have Souls haven’t made any updates since February 2016, and even prior to that, its online accounts weren’t very active either. Considering the business website and online store is unavailable, and Edwin himself doesn’t talk about Boats Have Souls anymore, it’s safe to assume that his time renovating boats is long over.

How Long Was Edwin In The Business?

Despite the unfortunate fate of Boats Have Souls following the show’s end, Edwin McCain wasn’t new to the boat renovation business before the show even came alive. In fact, the first time he got his hands on a boat with the intention of making it useful again, was in 2010, when he found an abandoned 1986 Chris-Craft Scorpion in a warehouse; as he told Boating Magazine in 2016: ‘I figured if I could fix this boat up, they could do whatever they wanted in it, and I wouldn’t be stressed about it’, he said in reference to his kids, who were small children at the time.

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Admittedly unable to afford a boat at the time, Edwin turned the 1986 Scorpion into a functional boat again by renovating its most essential parts. Following that first project, he bought a 50-foot Hatteras with the same intentions, though he didn’t expect it to be exceptionally hard: ‘I bit off more than I could chew. But I had to do it. Hatteras is such an American story; it’s what I want to believe about myself’.

Aware of not being able to lead the project alone, Edwin kept working on smaller boats, but never forgot about the Hatteras.

How Was The Show Created?

As the Hatteras project sat in the back of his mind, Edwin resorted to learning more about the boat, leading his mind to the right conclusion: ‘You don’t have to know exactly what you’re doing; you’ve just got to get started and figure it out’, he told Greenville News.

With renovated inspiration, Edwin put his expert team of experts together to work on the Hatteras, though the idea of television sparked in his mind at the same time. A couple of months later, Animal Planet and O’Malley Productions were on board with the idea, ultimately bringing life to “Flipping Ships”.

It’s a truck #camper! It’s a #boat! It’s a truck #camping boat? Animal Planet’s Flipping Ships dredges up an #Avion #truckcamper, and sets it to sea. Not a new concept – the #amphicamper! #vintagecamper #houseboat https://t.co/g0eCXO7L7o pic.twitter.com/JHBKRDcT89

— TruckCamperMagazine (@TruckCamperMag) April 23, 2020

However, having a production company and a big network in your project doesn’t mean the work was done. As Edwin admitted, they worked on the project for a couple of years, often for 15 hours a day, which in his words was just as hard as when he was a struggling musician in the 1990s, though that wasn’t enough to deter him: ‘I think at the beginning of any endeavor you have that period of just head-down, nose-to-the-grindstone, work-until-you-fall-down effort, to get that boulder moving. Otherwise, it just isn’t gonna move’. His and Boats Have Souls’ crew’s efforts were worth it in the end, as their commitment to their work and love for boats ultimately made the show possible.

Who Is Edwin McCain?

For those who know their way in pop music, the name Edwin McCain isn’t unheard at all. However, his beginnings and first career steps aren’t surprisingly as well-known as expected.

A native of South Carolina, Edwin Cole McCain had a tough time at school, as his attention deficit disorder and dyslexia made his learning process difficult. However, he was exceptionally good at singing as a child, soon passing from performing at his Catholic school choir to joining small theater productions in his community: ‘Music gave me purpose and identity. I was no longer Edwin the bad student, I was performing for people and being recognized and acknowledged, it was a great blessing’, he told InternationalMusician.org.

Surprisingly, Edwin never learned to read music in the traditional way. Instead, he followed his instinct, which made learning guitar at 11 years a not-so-difficult process: ‘I preferred listening to music and understanding how it was all put together, by ear, and making sense of it in my head.’.

Deeply influenced by Jazz, soul and country sounds, Edwin spent his early years making music and furthering his song-writing skills. Although he spent a short time studying at Coastal Carolina University, and later in the College of Charleston, music always found a way back into his life.

Early Success

After leaving college, Edwin moved from Greenville to Charleston, where music took him to perform in several pubs and bars. Soon he became acquainted with the Columbia-native band and tour pals Hootie and the Blowfish, who opened doors for him to officially sign with Atlantic Records. That resulted in the creation of his eponymous band, and the release of his first major album in 1995, entitled “Honor Among Thieves”, out of which the single “Solitude” achieved moderate commercial success.

Two years later, the Edwin McCain band released “Misguided Roses”. Though this second album initially achieved moderate success, the release in late 1998 of the single “I’ll Be” gained Edwin and his band nation-wide fame, and a spot in the top ten of Billboard’s main charts. “I’ll Be” soon became a classic, and besides being played at weddings all over North America, it was featured in movies such as “A Cinderella Story”, and the drama series “Higher Ground”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgutwyTAZq1/

1999 saw Edwin releasing his third album – “Messenger” – which included the very successful single “I Could Not Ask For More”, written by Diane Warren but performed for the first time by Edwin. Just as his previous hit, “I Could Not Ask For More” gained Edwin high spots in America’s major music charts, and a feature in the movie’s “Message in a Bottle” soundtrack.

Change of Label & Independent Run

The year 2001 saw Edwin McCain release his fourth album, “Far From Over”, then leave Atlantic Records for good. Almost a year later, he released his fifth album “The Austin Sessions” under the independent record label ATC Records, which allowed him to channel an acoustic, raw sound, while at the same time bringing back some of his early career songs. The compilation album was recorded in less than a month, and was complemented by his DVD “Mile Marker”, which featured many live performances, and shots behind the scenes.

While changing his style at the peak of his career was an unexpected move, it was Edwin’s thank you note for his longtime fans: “the whole package is sort of saying, ‘I’m back doing what I started doing’,’ he revealed in an interview with Billboard at the time. The next year, Edwin released “Scream & Whisper”, his second and last release under an independent record label, before his seventh album “Lost in America” was released under Vanguard Records in 2006. It was followed by “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” in 2008, and a year later the release of “The Best of Edwin McCain” marked the 20th anniversary of his career. Other memorable releases afterwards are the 2011 album “Mercy Bound”, and the extended play “Phoenix” in 2015.

Charity and Life Nowadays

Ever since his early career, Edwin McCain has been committed to several charity organizations and causes. The first time he did so was with his song “Solitude”, featured in the first “Live in the X Lounge” album in 1998. In 2005, he released the song “Hold Out a Hand”, donating all its profits to the victims of that year’s Hurricane Katrina., without forgetting his donation to the Medical University of South Carolina along with Darius Rucker, through his show “Flipping Ships” in 2015.

5 shows in 5 nights! Comment what city I’ll see you in this week. pic.twitter.com/8wzYv8hWQ3

— Edwin McCain (@TheEdwinMcCain) March 16, 2022

Considering his altruist nature and staying true to his art, Edwin is still a legend whose music hasn’t been forgotten by a whole generation. That is why his comeback to music in 2019 with his holiday album “Merry Christmas, Baby” was welcomed by the audience. Needless to say, Edwin is clearly grateful for his career: ‘now, as a 45-year-old father of three, I’m so grateful to be known as a wedding singer’, he told The Washington Post back in 2015. Fast forward to the present day, it’s for sure he’s still grateful to people who not only supported him throughout his changes of style and sound, but also during his boat renovation escapades.